In Memoriam: Bob Yerkes, Stunt Legend
Bob Yerkes, a remarkable figure in Hollywood who faced perilous challenges including being set ablaze, thrown down staircases, and launched from towering skyscrapers, bridges, and trains, passed away on October 1 in Northridge, California. He was 92 years old. His death, which occurred in a hospital, was confirmed by Tree O’Toole, a former stuntwoman who had been caring for him. Yerkes had been battling pneumonia prior to his passing.
Although virtually unknown to the general public, Mr. Yerkes was a legendary presence in the world of stunts. Throughout the 1980s, he captivated audiences with his daring feats, including soaring through the air as Boba Fett in Return of the Jedi, precariously hanging from a clock tower in Back to the Future as the character played by Christopher Lloyd, and clinging to scaffolding atop the Statue of Liberty in Remo Williams.
Jeff Wolfe, the president of the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures, remarked in an interview, “He is one of the few stuntmen I would say have celebrity status in the stunt business. His lack of fear was kind of renowned.”
Mr. Yerkes, whose last name rhymes with “circus,” showcased his extraordinary skills in numerous films, including:
- The Towering Inferno (1974)
- Poltergeist (1982)
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
In addition to his film work, he also performed stunts on popular television shows such as:
- Gilligan’s Island
- Wonder Woman
- Starsky and Hutch
- Dukes of Hazzard
Over the course of his illustrious career, Mr. Yerkes sustained numerous concussions, more than he could count. Reflecting on his experiences, he stated in a 2016 video produced by My Gathering Place International, a religious organization, “I’m better now, though. It used to be that when I’d talk, I wouldn’t finish a sentence.”